Small Business
January 5, 2015 | 
Author 8 Steps in Preparation to Buy a Home for 2015
Castro Valley, CA (PRWEB) January 01, 2015
In early October, the California Association of Realtors® (CAR) released its 2015 California Housing Market Forecast.(1) The general expectation is that prices will stabilize in 2015, making it a good time for home buying. As we enter the New Year, many – renters and homeowners alike – want to know how best to prepare for entering the real estate market. For prospective buyers Castro Valley, CA Realtor® Murline Monat offers invaluable steps to becoming financially and emotionally equipped to buy a home. “I find that the buying process is much easier for people who enter the process prepared,” Ms. Monat noted. “So, I put together these steps as a checklist for potential homebuyers.”
“A good credit score is vital for getting a mortgage, so I encourage everyone to manage, to understand, and to improve or repair their credit.” Ms. Monat, who specializes in homes for sales in Castro Valley Neighborhoods, is quick to point out that there is only one free source for credit reports – annualcreditreport.com – and they do not provide a score. Additionally, for people who want to hire a company to fix their credit, Ms. Monat warns that many companies claim to fix credit, but few of them are reliable. Choose to work with your lender instead of a credit repair company; your lender will have appropriate budget suggestions.
“I work very closely with clients to make sure that the home they desire and the home they can afford are in alignment. This is why,” Ms. Monat explained, “I encourage buyers to have a great relationship with their lender. Their lender helps them understand what they can afford and helps set their expectations appropriately.”
“Interview several lenders well before you start shopping for a home,” advises Ms. Monat. Lenders determine how much buyers can spend, the down payment, loan closing costs and appropriate debt-to-income ratios. Often Ms. Monat asks that the lender speak to the seller’s agent on the buyers’ behalf; consequently, “it is important to interview and select a lender you like and trust.” It is important that the lender knows the client as well.
“To qualify for a mortgage, buyers need to demonstrate to the lender they can pay back the loan. Buyers need to establish a monthly budget before buying a house and consistently spend less than they earn.” Ms. Monat does not suggest deprivation, but rather reduce and consider or low-cost forms of entertainment.
Also, a separate, “untouchable” bank account for the “Home Fund” allows buyers to save – and watch their savings grow – for their down payment.
Ms. Monat also recommends depositing any “windfalls” – such as tax refunds, inheritance, or gift money – directly into the “Home Fund” bank account. “While many people consider this to be play money, it will have a much more lasting impact contributing to the purchase of a home.”
For current renters, Ms. Monat suggests resolving any rent vs. own questions before getting too far in the process. “Homeownership does not work for everyone’s lifestyles. For some, such as people with jobs that may relocate, renting may be the better option – for now.”
Finally, Ms. Monat encourages all buyers to relax, breathe deep and remain focused on their goal. “Finding and buying a home can be stressful; spending time with friends and loved ones, enjoying a glass of wine, or curling up with a good book are all great ways to ease the tension.”
About Murline Monat, Realtor®
A long-time Bay Area resident, Murline brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her realty career – including an M.S in Industrial Psychology, building her own home, and group facilitation. Her background makes her an excellent champion for her clients. By ensuring her clients are appropriately informed throughout the purchasing or selling process, coordinating all the parties involved, and negotiating the best deal, Murline’s reputation in the community and realty industry is impeccable.
Before becoming a realtor in 2009, Murline Monat spent her time analyzing sales trends for both large corporations and small businesses. The difference between retail sales trends and real estate trends are minimal and she is able to support her clients in one of the most important lifestyle choices they will make. These decisions “bring great comfort and satisfaction to individuals and to families. I love being a part of that process.”
A Bay Area resident since the age of 5, Murline and her husband made Castro Valley their home because of its central location for both of their careers at the time. While a practical choice, the decision to live in Castro Valley has always been a happy one.
Contact Information
Murline Monat
Empire Realty Associates, Inc.
Danville, CA 94526
510-406-0114
925-523-9852
MMonat(at)EmpireRA(dot)com
CastroValleyNeighborhoods.com
MurlineMonat.com
(1) http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/01/opinion/underwriting-the-next-housing-crisis.html?smprod=nytcore-ipad&smid=nytcore-ipad-share&_r=3
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US Federal Contractor Registration Reports solicitation for Director of Music/Accompanist Pianist with the Navy in Oceanside, California on FedBizOpps (FBO)
Washington D.C. (PRWEB) December 23, 2014
The United State Government as of 12/18/2014 has 955 available solicitations in California where they are actively seeking small business vendors. The Federal Government awarded 208,021 contracts in California for over 218 billion dollars in 2014. Please see the below available contract released by US Federal Contractor Registration, additional California contracts can be found at https://www.uscontractorregistration.com.
US Federal Contractor Registration is reporting the release of a solicitation for Director of Music/Accompanist Pianist in Oceanside, California posted to FedBizOpps (FBO) on December 18, 2014. The Director of Music/Accompanist Pianist has a response date of January 10, 2014, for any vendors seeking to submit a quote. Every business interested in bidding on the Director of Music/Accompanist Pianist contract must be activity registered in System for Award Management(SAM) with the following NAICS codes listed 711130 – Musical Groups and Artists, and 711 – Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries filed under their government account profile. The Director of Music/Accompanist Pianist is a Total Small Business contract, which only allows businesses under the SBA Small Business Size Standard eligible to bid.
Below is a consolidated copy of the Total Small Business contract, Director of Music/Accompanist Pianist solicitation as posted to FedBizOpps (FBO):
Director of Music/Accompanist Pianist
Solicitation Number: M0220315RCCH006
Agency: Department of the Navy
Office: Oceanside, California
Location: MCB Camp Pendleton – RCO
This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with acquisition procedures provided in FAR Subpart 12.6, as a supplement with additional information included in this notice. This announcement and attached Request for Quote (RFQ) constitutes as the only solicitation; quotes are being requested and a separate solicitation will not be issued. This solicitation document and incorporated provision and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular FAC 2005-78 and the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulations Supplement, current to DPN 20141113. As a result of this authority, certain requirements for soliciting, awarding, and notifying quotes are streamlined. In accordance with FAR 12.102(c), when a policy in another part is inconsistent with FAR Part 12, Part 12 shall take precedence. This procurement is a 100% small business set-aside and the associated North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code for this procurement is 711130, Musical Groups and Artists, with a small size standard of $ 11,000,000. This requirement is a Small Business federal set-aside and only qualified offerors may submit quotes.
Responses to this solicitation are considered quotations and not offers. In those instances where the words offer, offeror, and proposal are used, the reader should understand that the use of such words does not change the nature of this request for quotation. The resulting award will be a Firm Fixed Price Type Contract for Director of Music/Accompanist Pianist in support of the Command Religious Program (CRP) of Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Miramar located in San Diego, California.
SUBMISSION OF QUOTE: QUOTES must be received by the Government no later than the date and time FRIDAY 26 DECEMBER 2014 2:00PM (PST). Contractor submitted quotes that fail to provide all required information due to a transmission error may be rejected as non-responsive.
2. DELIVERY OF QUOTE: Quotes may be emailed or submitted by commercial courier service (FedEx, UPS, etc.). Faxed quotations will not be accepted. Contractors bear the burden of ensuring that quotes (and any authorized amendments) reach the designated office on time. All pages of the quote must reach the office before the deadline specified in this solicitation.
Mail Delivery: Quotes sent by commercial courier services should be addressed to the following.
Email Submission is highly encouraged: For email submission, the Government office designated for receipt of the quotes are the email addresses indicated below. Notwithstanding the provisions at FAR 52.212-1(f) or FAR 52.215-1(c)(3), delivery is not accomplished until the addressee can open the email; delivery to a server or an email inbox on a server is not considered delivery to the designated Government office and the quotation is not under the Government’s control until the addressee can open the email. The email shall not be considered to be delivered unless the entire content of the email and all attachments can be read by the addressee indicated above. Receipt of an electronic acknowledgment from the addressee establishes that a record was received but does not establish that the content sent corresponds to the content received. Email attachments are limited to no more than 2MB. Offerors are specifically warned that email may be subjected to spam filters or attachment stripping. All submissions shall be submitted to the email addresses: devin.crook@usmc.mil and janie.myers@usmc.mil
3. SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT (SAM):
Contractors must be currently registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) to eligible for award.
4. REFERENCE THE FOLLOWING ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: REQUEST FOR QUOTE INFORMATION SHEET AND STATEMENT OF WORK
5. REQUIRED CONTENT OF QUOTE: Contractor submitted quotes that fail to provide all required information due to a transmission error may be rejected as non-responsive.
Offerors must submit a COMPLETE QUOTE addressing (a), (b) and (c) as follows:
a) Price: Complete Attachment 1 “REQUEST FOR QUOTE INFORMATION SHEET”
b) Technical Experience: Provide a two (2) page resume supporting experience in executing specific tasks and qualification as provided in the Statement of Work. List any certifications, if applicable, and provide proof of experience as follows:
Experience/ability to perform on a Henry F. Miller Baby Grand Piano and Kawai CP170 Concert Performance V2 Electric Piano, in the form of contemporary praise music, congregational hymns, responses, instrumental interludes, typical service music/choir music.
Experience/ability to sight read music and direct other musicians and vocalists in four-part musical scores.
Experience in working with Church choirs and performing music in a worship context for either Protestant or Roman Catholic Church’s.
c) Past Performance – Provide three (3) recent and relevant references. Recent is defined within the last 5 years. Relevant is defined by the tasks and qualifications as provided in the Statement of Work. Each Reference should contain the following information:
a) Name
b) Title
c) Company/Business
d) Address
e) Email/Phone Number
f) Dollar Value of Service Provided
g) Description of Service Provided
h) Dates of Provided Service
Basis of Award: The Government intends to make a single award a Firm Fixed Price contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose submission conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. The following factors shall be used to evaluate complete submissions:
Lowest Price Acceptable – Awardee shall be the lowest evaluated price of quotes meeting or exceeding the non-price factors provided above. If during the evaluation period it is determined to be in the best interest of the Government to hold discussions, Offeror responses to clarifications/discussion notices will be considered in making the award decision. The Government reserves the right to make award solely on initial quotes received.
Business interested in learning how to bid on available contracts and becoming eligible for government contracts can call US Federal Contractor Registration Acquisition Specialist Peter Lanore at (877) 252-2700 Ext 751. Businesses looking to effectively market their business and advertise their services directly to procurement officers can enroll in the Simplified Acquisition Program.
Vendors can learn more about enrollment in the Simplified Acquisition Program by visiting http://www.simplifiedacquisitionprogram.org/.
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, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Posted in Small Business | 
Tags: California, Contractor, Director, FedBizOpps, Federal, Music/Accompanist, Navy, Oceanside, Pianist, Registration, Reports, solicitation | 
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Article by Abhinav Poddar
When it comes to small business owners, small business cash advance can be considered amongst the many alternative merchant funding solutions. Similar to most of the financing options provided by lenders, they come with both the positives as well as the negatives. If the owner is stuck in tight credit market, he will take the funds from wherever it is available. Small business cash advance can be considered a form of receivable financing. It is mainly a targeted receivable funding, where the receivable comes from the transactions done through credit cards.
Let us check out some of the reasons why small business cash advance should get a nod from owners of small businesses, when they are looking for merchant funding solutions.
€ It helps businesses to survive, especially during recession. They can take care of the urgent bills, even if their business has been running low at that time.
€ For businesses with short-term problem related to cash flow, small business cash advance provides a considerable help.
€ If there is a need for an urgent access to fund, then small business cash advance definitely helps. You can pay it off, whenever you have funds available in your business.
€ Even though in most cases, cash advance does come with high premiums and interest rates, there are private lenders in the financial market that offer rates close to what is offered on conventional loan. In such cases, you should prefer that deal to the traditional loan offer, as the processing is faster and the money reaches your account in no time whatsoever. You can buy machines or do similar business development programs using the money in such cases and have a longer repayment plan placed.
While it has benefits, which you can avail, there are a few things, which you should be aware of before going for a small business cash advance.
€ Interest rates are very high. If taken for a longer term, there are chances that you might end up paying close to the principal amount. There are two things, which you can do, in such a scenario. Firstly, you should never take such merchant funding solutions for a longer term. Secondly, you should try to go through the market and try to find out a reasonable deal available for you.
€ In case a fixed percentage of credit card sales is taken away daily, you might not have enough amount of money to cover for your operating expenses. Over here, what you must do is to make sure that the funding amount should be close to what is needed for your business. This will assure that the daily repayment amount will be low. Again, you should also be aware of your daily earnings as well as expenses and plan the repayment accordingly to assure that you do not get stuck later on.
Small business cash advance is amongst the advantageous merchant funding solutions available out there. However, you need to take the step carefully and make sure that it does not become a problem in the longer run.
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Sasser Family Holdings Wins 2014 Illinois Family Business of the Year Award
Schaumburg, IL (PRWEB) October 03, 2014
Sasser Family Holdings, a 4th generation company with roots dating back to 1928, has been selected the Illinois Family Business of the Year (large company category of competition) from the Family Business Center at Loyola University Chicago’s Quinlan School of Business. The winners will be celebrated at the 21st annual Awards Gala set for Wednesday, Nov. 12 at 6:30 p.m. at the Four Seasons Hotel in Chicago.
“Winning this award is a testament to our past and present staff, that they have been able to build such a successful business in a very competitive environment,” said Fred R. Sasser, CEO and grandson of the founder. “It’s also an honor to be selected by an organization that helps family businesses work together to face their unique challenges and build a stronger legacy for future generations.”
Winners of the awards are selected for their positive family/business linkage, multi-generational family business involvement, contributions to industry and community, and their innovative business practices and strategies. Sasser Family Holdings has evolved from a small rail service business to a global transportation asset services and management company comprised of six different subsidiaries, all tied under one family name and set of core values. The company promotes charity and community service, and provides exemplary recognition and respect for its dedicated employees, many of whom have generations of their own families working within the operation.
“This award is a significant achievement for our family, and is shared with all the employees who have worked together to deliver on our commitment to our customers for 86 years,” said Shad Peterson, President of Sasser Family Holdings. “Without our extended family of staff, customers and partners, we could not have received this honor.”
About Sasser Family Holdings:
Sasser Family Holdings is a 4th generation, family-held transportation asset services and management company with roots dating back to 1928. Other subsidiary business units include Chicago Freight Car Leasing Co., Union Leasing Inc., CF Rail Services LLC, CF Asia Pacific Group PTY Ltd., NxGen Rail Services LLC., and Xcēd Aviation Services. The subsidiary units are leaders in providing commercial and industrial focused rail and vehicle transportation equipment solutions including asset leasing, fleet administration management, asset repair and maintenance, and innovative technology services throughout North America, and Australia. For more information about Sasser Family Holdings, Inc., visit http://www.sfhsinc.com.
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GetUWired Answers the Question “What Is Infusionsoft” in Latest Blog
(PRWEB) October 03, 2014
GetUWired, a full-service internet marketing firm located in Dahlonega, Ga., has just released a blog titled “What is Infusionsoft?” This blog is meant to help small business owners learn Infusionsoft and get an overview of the program’s many features and benefits. Read the blog by clicking here.
What is Infusionsoft?
Infusionsoft is a software designed specifically for small businesses that fuses the features of CRM, automated marketing, e-commerce and more into one convenient hub.
Infusionsoft CRM
Infusionsoft’s CRM feature makes it possible to manage a business’ entire contact list in one place. It also connects the contacts to other parts of the system, such as marketing automation. The CRM feature eliminates time-wasting overlap of disparate systems.
Marketing Automation
With Infusionsoft, small business owners can nurture their leads automatically so that they can invest their time and effort into other critical areas of their businesses. Infusionsoft’s marketing automation feature also includes a lead-tracking tool, which easily shows users which leads are hot and need to be contacted directly.
E-commerce
Infusionsoft’s e-commerce feature gives business owners the tools they need to manage billing, sales, and more.
Other key features of Infusionsoft:
Drag-and-drop functionality to craft and publish landing pages
Web forms
Social sharing
Multimedia marketing management
Marketing reports
Track orders, sales totals, accounts receivables, etc.
Payment processing
Lead scoring
Sales reports
Why do small businesses use Infusionsoft?
Infusionsoft was created with small businesses in mind. This platform simplifies the processes of e-commerce, marketing automation, CRM and more to help small businesses reach new heights without futzing with separate systems and redundant overlap.
Find out more about Infusionsoft
Call GetUWired today at 877-236-9094 or visit http://www.GetUWired.us.
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Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Posted in Small Business | Tags: Answers, Blog, GetUWired, Infusionsoft, Latest, Question | No Comments »
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Investors Select Allegiancy to Protect Well-Performing Clearwater, Fla., Office Building
Richmond, VA (PRWEB) August 29, 2014
New investors in an 83,000-square-foot, $ 13.75 million office building on Park Place Boulevard in Clearwater, Fla., have selected Allegiancy to protect their asset.
Allegiancy, a Richmond, Va.-based real estate asset manager, is known for its ability to turn around office complexes on the verge of financial ruin.
“But we have proven that we are the asset manager to trust to safeguard a solid investment,” said Allegiancy CEO Steve Sadler.
Since taking over management of the property in December 2013, Allegiancy has executed on the property’s business plan and expects cash flows to remain strong.
“There’s no doubt about it: it’s challenging to walk into a commercial office building that’s struggling to find tenants because the building is falling apart, and the owners have no money to fix it. All the while, the bank is knocking on the door with a matured loan,” Sadler said.
“But when you start managing a property like 380 Park that’s already performing well, you get to think bigger. You can look for upside and think in a different way. You work smart to make things run more efficiently and build more value. That’s something we do very well at Allegiancy.”
The Clearwater property is a Class A office space developed in 2001 by Highwoods Properties, a public REIT. It has has been institutionally owned and managed. Located on nearly seven acres in the desirable area of Clearwater, the property is 98 percent leased to seven tenants. It’s centrally located in the Bayside submarket, an area rich with amenities including retail, restaurants and various services.
Clearwater is the 11th largest city in Florida and is part of the Tampa Metropolitan Statistical Area. Tampa boasts a population of nearly three million, making it the largest in Florida.
The new investors in the property selected Allegiancy in late 2013, shortly after a $ 5.65 million capital equity raise.
“We deliver asset management services to a large portfolio of stable assets, but many times we had to bring them back from the brink first – that is probably what we are best known for,” said Allegiancy’s chief operating officer Dan Simons. “380 Park is definitely the type of asset that we want and are proud to have in our portfolio. It not only provides stability to our portfolio and to our investors, but also allows us to showcase how our technology and operating systems bring efficiency, improved cash flow and value to a property.”
Without the need to focus on emergency efforts to turn around a property, at Park Place, Allegiancy immediately focused on the finer points of execution and “those things that we have always been good at,” Sadler said. “Many owners think that if there are no fires, then everything must be operating well at their buildings. In truth, we have never found a property where the effectiveness of the Allegiancy platform failed to add significant value to the asset.”
Why Allegiancy?
Much like a money manager, Allegiancy is a fee-based asset manager. Allegiancy creates the strategy and execution plan to maximize the value of commercial real estate investments.
“A commercial office building is a stand-alone small business. Yet in most cases, they do not have any leadership,” Sadler said. “No CEO. No president. No one onsite whose equity is at risk. Just a property manager making sure the place does not fall apart.”
As a result, a lot of commercial real estate assets underperform year after year.
“Not because they’re not good real estate, not because someone paid too much, not because the economy is weak,” Sadler said. “They’re struggling because nobody is running the business. That’s our job, to step in and provide that kind of strategic direction and tactical oversight.”
The effective, efficient tactical oversight Allegiancy provides properties is in part thanks to the strategic technology and analytics investments it has made. For example, closely monitoring spikes in electricity output using the latest tools helps Allegiancy identify potential maintenance issues before they become large capital problems.
Allegiancy has recently won new asset management contracts in Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia and Ohio and continues to successfully manage a portfolio of top-performing properties.
# # #
About Allegiancy
Allegiancy is changing the business of asset management for commercial real estate owners and investors. With an advanced technology platform and singular focus on serving as the owners’ advocate, the company brings fresh vigor to an often poorly understood business. Combining its proactive Value Assurance? operational rigor with an intense focus on cash flow and profitability, Allegiancy is expanding on a track record of more than four decades of success.
Headquartered in Richmond, Va., and led by a team of seasoned professionals and more than 100 years of experience, Allegiancy manages properties that have outperformed their peers by 45% since 2006. The company has more than $ 300 million in assets under management (AUM) and delivers clients attractive returns and profitable, hassle-free investments in commercial real estate.
More information about Allegiancy may be found at http://www.allegiancy.us.
To schedule an interview with Allegiancy’s leadership, contact Audrey Bevel at audrey(at)allegiancy(dot)us or 866.842.7545 ext. 204.
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements are based upon the Allegiancy, LLC’s (the “Company”) present expectations, but these statements are not guaranteed to occur. Furthermore, the Company disclaims any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect changes in underlying assumptions or factors, of new information, data or methods, future events or other changes. Investors should not place undue reliance upon forward-looking statements. For further discussion of the factors that could affect outcomes, please refer to the “Risk Factors” section of the offering circular dated January 14, 2014 and filed by the Company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on January 15, 2014. The offering circular, and any supplements or updates thereto, is available on the EDGAR system located on http://www.sec.gov.
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Posted in Small Business | Tags: Allegiancy, Building, Clearwater, Fla., Investors, Office, Protect, Select, WellPerforming | No Comments »